The Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Lagos has banned Point of Sale, popularly known as PoS, transactions within its premises as part of efforts to strengthen discipline, improve professionalism and reduce possible corruption within the command.
The directive was announced by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the FCID Annex Lagos, Simeon Akpanudom, during a general lecture and strategic meeting with sectional heads held at the command headquarters on Thursday.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the FCID Annex, Aminat Mayegun.
According to the statement, the decision aligns with directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, aimed at promoting accountability, transparency and ethical conduct among police officers across the country.
Akpanudom explained that PoS activities within police premises are not consistent with standard security practices and professional ethics expected in law enforcement institutions.
He warned that allowing such financial transactions inside police facilities could create room for corruption, abuse of office and compromise official procedures.
In recent years, PoS operators have become common across Nigeria due to banking challenges, shortage of cash and the growing dependence on electronic financial transactions. Many businesses, public institutions and even government offices now have PoS operators nearby to help workers and visitors withdraw or transfer money easily.
However, security experts have repeatedly raised concerns over the increasing use of PoS terminals around sensitive government facilities, especially security formations.
Some analysts believe the presence of PoS operators inside police premises could encourage unofficial payments, extortion and other unethical practices capable of damaging the image of the police force.
Although the FCID did not directly state that the ban was linked to bribery allegations, the warning issued by the AIG strongly suggested concerns over accountability and transparency.
The police boss urged officers to maintain professionalism, discipline and strict compliance with due process in the discharge of their duties.
He also directed that all intelligence reports must be properly scrutinized and verified by sectional heads before they are submitted for action.
According to him, supervisory officers must ensure proper monitoring of personnel under their command while enforcing professional standards to reduce misconduct and abuse of office.
The meeting formed part of broader internal reforms within the Nigeria Police Force aimed at restoring public confidence and improving service delivery.
For years, the Nigeria Police Force has faced criticism from members of the public over allegations of corruption, illegal detention, extortion, abuse of human rights and poor handling of investigations.
Several police reform campaigns have been introduced by successive police leaderships, especially after the nationwide #EndSARS protests in 2020, during which young Nigerians demanded accountability and an end to police brutality.
Following the protests, the police authorities promised to strengthen internal discipline and improve officers’ conduct nationwide.
Akpanudom also warned officers against indiscriminate involvement in land-related disputes, stressing that all investigations must follow laid-down legal procedures.
Land disputes remain one of the most sensitive and controversial issues in many parts of Nigeria, especially in Lagos and other urban areas where property values continue to rise rapidly.
In the past, some police officers and security agencies have been accused of interfering in civil land matters, sometimes leading to allegations of intimidation, unlawful arrests and abuse of power.
Human rights groups and lawyers have repeatedly argued that many land disputes are civil matters that should primarily be handled through the courts rather than through police intimidation.
By cautioning officers on the issue, the FCID leadership appears to be responding to longstanding public concerns about police involvement in private property disputes.
The AIG further warned officers against any behaviour capable of damaging the image of the Nigeria Police Force.
He reminded personnel that they are expected to project credibility, discipline and professionalism while dealing with members of the public.
According to him, officers must respect the established chain of command and avoid acts of insubordination or misconduct.
Akpanudom stressed that unprofessional conduct would not be tolerated within the command and warned that officers found guilty of wrongdoing would face disciplinary action where necessary.
He also encouraged personnel to remain committed to integrity, accountability and dedicated service to the nation.
Over the years, many Nigerians have complained about poor treatment at police stations, delayed investigations and demands for unofficial payments before cases are handled.
Some citizens also accuse police officers of demanding money for bail, despite the long-standing declaration by the police authorities that “bail is free.”
Because of these concerns, many Nigerians have welcomed efforts aimed at improving discipline and professionalism within the force.
The FCID, formerly known as the Force Criminal Investigation Department, is one of the most important investigative units of the Nigeria Police Force. It handles major criminal investigations, including financial crimes, cybercrime, homicide, kidnapping and politically sensitive cases.
The Lagos Annex of the department is particularly important because Lagos remains Nigeria’s commercial hub and records a large number of criminal and civil complaints daily.
As economic activities continue to expand and electronic transactions become more common, PoS services have grown rapidly across Nigeria.
PoS operators now serve millions of Nigerians, especially in areas where bank branches and Automated Teller Machines are limited or unreliable.
However, authorities have also warned that the rapid growth of the sector has created security concerns, including fraud, money laundering and illegal financial transactions.
Financial experts believe stricter monitoring of PoS activities around sensitive institutions could help reduce some of these risks.
For many Nigerians, the latest decision by the FCID Annex Lagos is another test of the police leadership’s commitment to reforming the force and improving its public image.
While some members of the public may see the ban as a small administrative action, others believe it sends a strong message about discipline, accountability and the need to separate official police work from practices that could encourage corruption.